Wicomico County Executive Bob Culver has, like others before him, indicated a desire to remove a deed restriction that prevents the Wicomico County Youth & Civic Center from selling or dispensing alcoholic beverages at the venue.

In the past, those wishing to affect such a change have attempted to work with the descendants of S. Franklyn Woodcock, the Salisbury resident who donated the land upon which the Civic Center is located. Woodcock had stipulated alcohol was not to be sold or dispensed on the property.

At that time, it was being used as athletic fields for young people, not a civic center or entertainment venue.

Say what you will, but our Civic Center has been held back by the restriction, preventing the county from attracting a minor league hockey team, for example.

Attracting quality entertainment and pro sports events is important if the Civic Center is to become self-supporting – perhaps even revenue generating. And that's important to county taxpayers.

The reality is, without a beer and wine license, it will almost certainly remain a taxpayer-supported operation.

Culver has chosen to take the bull by the horns and pursue legislative permission to begin offering alcoholic beverages at Civic Center events. This has offended some county residents, who believe the wishes of the donor should be respected. There's certainly something to be said for that kind of respect.

But also consider this: The Civic Center has for decades gotten around that restriction for private events by allowing beer and wine to be served as BYOB – bring your own bottle. So, for example, the bride and groom may bring in their own champagne, beer or wine, pour it themselves (or members of their wedding party or parents) and not charge money for it. In the past, New Year's Eve events were held there on the same basis.

So alcohol has had a presence there for decades. The only difference would be that the county would be allowed to sell and dispense it, and generate revenue thereby – just as the Shorebirds organization does at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.

Perhaps it's time to decide what we want the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center to be, and take the steps necessary to make it so. If we want this venue to reach its potential in bringing entertainment of many varieties to our community, the ability to include beer and wine in its concessions is required.